Female genital cutting (FGC) has always been a topic of controversy. In the Western world this practice is seen as a cruel and inhumane act that takes away women right and the ability to make their own choices. However, what is seen as deviant practice in the West, it is in fact a distinct and important part of many cultures. For societies where female genital cutting is practiced, women find themselves pressured to comply with these norms as it gives them a sense of acceptance into a society as well as becoming marriageable. In Western society, even thou most people are against ritualized female genital cutting, it does not appear to be abnormal to practice surrounding female genital cosmetic surgery (FGCS), which is also in fact a form of …show more content…
In the west female sexual pleasure is highly valued therefore removing the clitoris is seen as removing their femininity, enjoyment and freedom (McDougall 2015). Genital cosmetic surgery is done to enhance the aesthetics of female genitals and although there is no scientific evidence some professionals market this procedure to help to increase sexual pleasure (Braun 2009, p.233). On the other hand in non-western societies the purity of a woman, which is portrayed through virginity, is highly valued, therefore removal of the clitoris and closing the genitals is seen as protecting this purity. The sexual pleasure of women is not as important in non-western cultures, since their view is that the main duty of a women is to reproduce and therefore fertility is more valued (Boddy 2007, p.65). Studies show that some women who are circumcised still feel sexual pleasure to the point of finishing, while in the west where women are not circumcised not all have the ability to finish (Boddy 2007, …show more content…
In the modern world people rely on organizations and systems for prosperity, insurance, etc. In most of African societies like the Hofriyat, kinship still plays a major role in being social security, health care and so on relying on the relationship with relatives and friends. Marriage became perceived as an important factor since it forms the basic source of personal identity and economic advantages (Boddy 2007, p.61). Collective interest between individuals is pursued through marriages arranged by the parents while subordinating the sexuality of young women and men to comply with the interest of the social group according to the elders (Boddy 2007, 62). In Hofriyat society, sexual absence is a matter of family honors. Failure to comply with this norm can lead to the family losing honor and the risk of jeopardizing the chances of getting married, which will affect its economic statues, political leverage and continuity of family line (Boddy 2007, 62). Looking at this aspect it is not surprising that honor is mostly assigned in relations to young women. Men are also restricted to some behaviors, however women lives are more cautiously patrolled (Boddy 2007, 62). This does not mean that women are powerless, as an act of force is too considerate shameful, subordinates must desire to act properly. Women misbehavior is an
This research is limited only to the ethical issues of Female Genital Mutilation(FGM). Ethical issues about other kinds/types of mutilation like the tattoos or markings, surgeries, transplants and piercings are not furthermore discussed, explained, and identified in this research.
The first news publication that we will be analyzing is an article titled “Anatomy of Female Genital Mutilation” written by Michelle Roberts (2014) of BBC News. This article begins to inform the readers about what female genital mutilation is exactly. According to Roberts (2014) female genital mutilation is defined as, “any procedure that harms the female genital organs for non-medical purposes”. The article continues to inform its readers that among the stages of female genital mutilation, the most severe one includes when a woman’s clitoris is removed, then her genitals are stitched together so that the female does not have or enjoy sex. As girls, grow up to bear children, during labor and delivery, she is again unstitched
In the story written by Frances A. Althaus’s “Female Circumcision: Rite of Passage or Violation of Rights? She explores female circumcision within African Culture and the health complications after the ritual is completed. Female circumcision is the practice of partial or total removal of the female external vaginal area and is still practiced in several countries today , dut was ruled as illegal in America in 1997. Females did not have the option to chose if they wanted to have the procedure performed, mothers often made that decision for them. The practice is to transition a girl into womanhood and to ensure that virginity is not lost before marriage, prevention of infidelity and
The horrible practice of female circumcision in sections of Africa as summarized in Female Circumcision: Rite of Passage or Violation of Rights? must be stopped. Female circumcision has been exercised for centuries in Africa and is usually performed without any anesthetic by practitioners with insufficient knowledge of human medicine or anatomy. Female genital cutting is a component for preparing adolescent girls for womanhood and marriage. There are three general types of genital excision: clitoridectomy, excision, and infibulation - the severity is in ascending order. Infibulation is the most severe and is “particularly likely to cause long-term health problems” (Althaus 245). Despite the ample amount of risks and health problems, some practitioners view female circumcision as an “integral part of their cultural and ethnic identity, and some perceive it as a religious obligation” (Althaus 243). The cultural practice of female circumcision requires the scrutiny of the West and should be abolished altogether because genital excision is injurious to women's health, has no health benefits, and is a violation of human rights.
The practice of female circumcision is happening in areas across the globe such as Africa, Asia and the Middle East. The United states and Serval others counties look at this as a vicious act of genital mutilation and an outright human rights violation (Clay, 2017, p.g.22). The practice of female circumcision has gone on for years as a cultural rite of passage in some countries. Other countries see it as a religious belief and others see it as a way to make their daughter more desirable for a husband The author reports that even through in the United States that many women more than half a million are still at risk of having their genital cut from the CDC reports in 2012 (Clay, 2017,
The World Health Organization, also known by the acronym WHO, has defined female genital mutilation as “procedures that intentionally alter or cause injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons.” FGM (acronym for female genital mutilation) is highly prevalent in Africa and the Middle East. An estimated 200 million and counting have been victims of this practice (UNICEF New York, 2016). In the past 20 years the tradition of female circumcision has received a lot of attention from the public and mass media and has been at the center or controversial debate (Kalev, 2004). Why? Because female circumcision is extremely detrimental to a female’s health as it causes long-term and short-term health complications and psychological damage to the victim. This research paper will discuss these topics and reassure the reader that female genital mutilation has and serves no benefits and is ultimately a violation of human rights.
This paper will be discussing the justification for supporting the practice, female genital mutilation. Female genital mutilation is a heavily embedded cultural practice that is predominantly practiced in Africa and the Middle East. As many Western civilizations oppose the practice, they fail to understand and acknowledge the cultural significance within these region’s societies. In fact, they are unable to recognize the parallelism that is present within their own societies. Using cultural relativism, this paper will depict the striking similarities
Female circumcision in the Global South is a controversial regarding this topic. People are continuingly debating about it how harmful the practice. People who are against the practice claimed that the practice is very harmful for these young girls and women. This practice is not only physically harmful, but also psychologically affect them. So anti-female circumcision is doing everything in their power to stop the practice in the Global South. Program such as the TOSTAN is encouraging young girl to say no the practice. On the other hand, there are people who defending the female circumcision. They claim that the practice has not harm. And they are denying the fact that this practice decreases sexual pleasure in these young women and female.
Female genital mutilation (FGM) is commonly referred to as female circumcision. The process of FGM involves altering the clitoris, sometimes removing it partially or entirely. FGM is a social construction practiced by a myriad of countries, although no construction is absolutely universal for every culture. For my multicultural paper am going to discuss in detail, the historical orientation of FGM. Additionally I will compare and contrast the practices of FGM versus the western version of male circumcision through a religious lens.
Female Genital Mutilation, shortened to FGM in most medical texts, is “collective name given to several different traditional practices that involve the cutting of female genitals.” FGM is a common cultural practice in many parts of the world, especially Africa and Asia that was established hundreds of years ago. There are many different types of FGM, ranging from clitoridectomy, to cutting and infibulations (Skaine 7). Even though these procedures are accepted in the areas they are practiced, FGM has become a human rights discussion resurfacing in recent years because the procedures serve no purpose. Female Genital Mutilation is an unethical practice that should be outlawed throughout the entire world.
Cindy Little, the writer of “Female Genital Circumcision: Medical and Cultural Considerations” and several other articles on the topic, concentrates her writing on the procedure’s process and side effects, while briefly touching on ethical issues and cultural issues. Little, a PhD, MSN, and BSN in Nursing, currently works as the Assistant Clinical Professor at Drexel University, a U.S. News top fifty nursing school. Little specializes in Women’s Health developing courses for undergraduates in obstetrics, pediatrics, and women's health. In the United States, medical personnel are held in high regard in terms of medical ethics. Little concentrates her research on medical information, for example, “The American Medical Association also condemns the practice of [Female Genital Mutilation] and supports the enactment of legislation to criminalize the practice” (Little 30). By keeping clear focus, Little and other medical authors on the topic of female circumcision enhance their credibility by speaking on the health impacts of the procedure rather than the emotional impacts. As references, Little uses sources such as the World Health Organization, an international organization that concerns itself with the physical, social, and mental health of all beings. The use of reliable sources strengthens her argument against the fatal nature of female circumcision and its detriment to human
Female circumcision has been a cultural tradition practiced in different parts of the world for many years in order to secure virginity until marriage. In Africa female genital mutilation tradition is a part of the Muslim culture and parts of the Middle East, for the women to be desirable by her husband. (JPEG) Consequently, girls the ages of 4 through 14 are to endure the severe pains of female circumcision in order to not betray their culture and family beliefs. (Ali, 2016) In the US, the estimated number of females between 15 and 49, who are either at risk of genital mutilation or who have already undergone a procedure, has reached more than 500,000, triple the amount reported in the 1990 national census. (Female genital mutilation in the US tripled in 25 years, 2015) This controversial practice performed on females lead advocates to believe that this is a form of female genital mutilation that must come to an end. (Ali, 2016)
In some cultures, the common practice of Female Genital Mutilation in Africa and the Middle East, are causing concerns amongst these young girls.
Imagine this! Being either a young girl or a woman forcefully bound against your will while elders perform a procedure called Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). The young girls and women who are forced to have this procedure done not only loses their rights to sexual pleasure but their rights are sliced, chopped, punctured, and finally burnt away. Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) otherwise known as Female Genital Circumcision (FGC) is also a controversial topic in Western societies. This paper will examine the history of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), hegemonic perspective on Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), health consequences of having this procedure done, how Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) affects women’s sexual function, and women who
Female Genital Mutilation, is a topic which has caused many controversies worldwide. Female Genital Mutilation is a tradition since antiquity, which occurs in twenty eight countries in Africa, and among certain communities in the Middle East, and Asia. The latitude of this issue is massive. The United Nations estimates that this practice has been performed on about 140 million females, who encounter immediate complications of shock, infections, damage to the urethra, scar formation, tetanus, bladder infections, HIV, along with long -term complications that lead to death (Lauren V, 2011). It is estimated that 3 million girls are at risk annually! During this paper, I will discuss in depth the two ethical theories (Deontology and Utilitarianism). These ethical theories will be a guide, to help understand the moral issues of Female Mutilation, and whether one can view female mutilation to be right or wrong. Aside from the ethical theories, I